Madrid - Botanic Gardens

(Local Name: Jardín Botánico) The Botanic Gardens of Madrid were founded by the enlightened Bourbon King Charles III and formed part of his ambitious plan for the development of the eastern part of the city. The gardens, enclosed by railings and entered by two Neo-Classical gateways, were designed by the architect Juan de Villanueva.

Opened in 1781, the Botanic Gardens achieved an international reputation through the import of plants and seeds from America and the Philippines. Its specialized library includes 10,000 drawings of the flora of New Granada brought from South America by the celebrated botanist Celestino Mutis. The collection of manuscripts includes books from the 15th to the 18th C.